The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-08-26
WHAT HAS THE COUNTRY
GAINED?

Senator James +. Wilson delived pc.
litical speech at Brooklyn, Iowa, Wednes
day which, though spoken in advance
of the assembling Of the Republican con.
vention, may be regarded as an opening
of the campaign in that state. The main
Question of discussion in the address
vas forclbly put in the opening sentence:
"What has the country gained by the
political change that was made in 1882"
This inquiry, it will be seen, opens out
the entire field of discussion of partisan
politics in this country.
And herein the Democrats are placed
at a disadvantage. In former times,
covering an extended period, the De-
mocracy had nothing to do but to criti-
else the course of public affairs. They
sat without as GROWERS. They found
special delight in isolated instances of
maladministratIon. A financial panic
was a godsend, and period of hard
times was hailed by them as the dawn
of a political millennium. Having for so
long time exercised the croaking func-
tons of their organism they are placed
at disadvantage when suddenly, by a
narrow chance, charged with the prac-
teal duties of administration.
The conspicuous failure of the Democ-
racy to redeem promises or to produce
betterment is shown in Mr.. Wilson's
speech. Whatever good the administra-
ton is to be credited with is in the en-
forcement of the laws enacted under
Republican rule. In the twenty-four
years of Republican control, as Mr.. Will
son forcibly SAYS, there was vast con-
structiye and benefcient work perform
ed that can not be undone; it has gone
into history, and can not be eliminated.
Nothing to be compared Herewith can
be found in the history of nations. Dur
ing that period our country was pros
pered beyond any nation in the world.
During those years the nation added to
its accumulated wealth over twenty
seven billions-an increase in twenty
four years of more than double the gain
within the preceding wears of National
existence.
And, better yet, the laws of the coun-
try were framed upon higher plane of
justice and equity. In ali respects that
was an era of marvellous growth and de-
velopment. All that Mr.. Cleveland had
to do was to run the government as he
found it, and he found it infinitely bet
ter than the condition existing when
the Republican party assumed control
twenty-four years earlier.
What has the administration done to |
justify the change? Mr.. Wilson shows
that not single promise of reform has
been redeemed and no line of distinctive
National policy pursued. The treasury
surplus, of which so much was said in
1884, has steadily increased, and the rev.
enue has not been diminished; and that
because of Democratic votes on meas
ures framed to reduce the surplus by de-
crease of revenue. The sole thing &C
complished has been a rekindling of the
Confederate war spirit and renewed
waving VI tllC fCpCl DiOOlt SulTl.
The presidential vetoes and the rebel
flag episode were designed solely to
solidify the South and keep it in that
condition. That being the chief reli-
ance of the Democratic party in 1888 all
efforts have been directed to that end.
The Senator severely arraigned the
President for his coarse jests and abusive
language vetoing pension bills. The aim
was evidently to please the South and
attach it still more firmly to the Demo-
cratic party. Referring, in closing, to
the transportation question, Mr.. Wilson
expressed the opinion that there should
be no backward step in the reform that
has been commenced, and that the Ma
tional law should be supplemented by
state legislation wherein found neces-
sary.